Conveying mechanism



E.B.GELLATLY CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1932 Nov. 5, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 5, 1935.` E. B, GELLATLY CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1932 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5', 1935 PATENT OFFICE i CONVEYING MEcnANrsM Edwin B. Gellatly, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application March 16, 1932, Serial No. 599,079

18 Claims.

This invention relates to conveying mechanism, and more particularly to conveying mechanism for use in conveying loose or lumpy materials lsuch as coal, earth. shale, etc. The

5 invention further relates to conveying mechanism having means for preventing interference with operation of the conveying mechanism by material being conveyed thereby, and still further to certain constructional features enabling l improved operation or conveyors. y

Although not so limited in its broader aspects, the invention is particularly well adapted for application to what are commonly known as night conveyors, and for purposes of illustration l will be described as embodied in a night conveyor of the endless type. Provision is made for preventing clogging of the conveying mechanism by lumps or pieces of material which might be'- come wedged between certain of the parts of the l0 mechanism during operation and freeing the conveying element and driving mechanism to insure. substantially uninterrupted operation without damage to the parts. Provision is also made for assisting in proper return movement of the conveying `element in a conveyor of the endless type. I Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof 3U proceeds. l Y

In the accompanying drawings I have shown .a present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a partial elevational view of con- J veyi'ng'rnechanism; Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the conveying mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a conveyornight; Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the 4U night shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a detail cross-sectional view through a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 2. Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2 designates generally supporting mechanism upon which is mounted a conveyor of the endless night type such as is par- 50 ticularly adapted for use in coal mines for conveying coal to the cars which' transport it to the surface. The conveying mechanism comprises suitable driving mechanism (not shown) such as an electric motor connected to a drive shaft 3 55 to which is keyed a driving sprocket t. lThe (Cl. 19K-168) shaft 3 is journaled 'for rotation in a frame 5 which comprises a noor surface 6 over which the conveying element operates, as will presently be described, and side guards 1 to connue the material in the path of the conveying element. The 5 surface B may be a trough, as is commonly ernployed in conveying devices for preventing lateral loss of material being handled.

Meshing withand adapted to be driven by the sprocket 4 is an endless sprocketchain 8 to which l0 are connected at intervals nights 9 extending transversely of the chain and whose length is only slightly less than the distance between the oppo-f site side guards 1. The chain is adapted to be operated by rotation of theshaft 3 in the clockl5 Wise direction, viewing Figures 1 and 6, and the nights during the major portion of their forward travel (i. e. travel toward the right, viewing Figures 1 and 2) lie upon and in contact with the surface 6 sofas to effectively advance along 20 such surface material lying thereon.

Adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor a `portion 6a of the surface 6 divergesfrom the plane of the remaining portion of such surface, extending generally downwardly from such'25 plane, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. 'I'he sprocket 4, however, is so proportioned as to draw the upper reach of the chain 8 generally in the same plane as that in which it lies while moving along the principal portion of the surface 6, so that adjacent the point where the portion 6a of the surface dverges from the plane of the remaining portion the upper reach of the chain extends generally at an angle to the plane of the surface portiona, becoming spaced therefrom to a substantial extent adjacent the sprocket 4.- The portion 6a of the surface terminates adjacent the shaft 3, the material being discharged into a mine car or onto other conveying mechanism.

The space between the chain, and consequently the nights, and the surface 6a at the discharge end of the conveyor prevents jamming of lumps or pieces of material between the nights and the shaft 3 or the end of the surface 6a. There 45 would otherwise be a tendency for material to be caught and crushed between the nights and the end of the conveyor, possibly resulting in damage to the conveyor or bending of the nights. There might also be a tendency for lumps of material which might have gotten caught in the chain to become interposed between the chain and the sprocket, Lthus possibly causing damage to either or both, putting an'additional strain on the machinery and crushing the material about the sprocket. Thelspacing between the chain and the surface 6a at the discharge end of the conveyor tends to alleviate this'condition,

although in order to further insure against damtially in the plane of the principal portion of the surface 6 and parallel to the chain. The

` device I0 also has a pointed nose I3 which points in the direction from which the material is advanced. The nose I3 has a substantially vertically extending upper portion I4 for` a purpose which will presently be described.

The upper reach of the chain 8 is guided by the sprocket 4 substantially above and along the apex I 2 of the ,device I Il. The device divides the material being advanced by the conveyor, causing part of it to moveto one side and part to the other side of the chain. This further reduces the possibility that material will become interposed between the chain and the sprocket. T he nose I3, being substantially sharp, not only tends to deflect material to either side, but also, in the event that a lump of substantial size is disposed more or less centrally under the chain,

serves in cooperation with the chainto cut or break up such lump before it can become interposed between the chain and the sprocket. The portion I4 4of the nose of the device IU, which portion extends substantially perpendicularly to the chain, serves as a cutting edge, any lumps of material passingby the inclined nose of the device I0 being forced against the portion I4 by the chain, positively insuring breaking up of the lumps and Apassage of the material to one side or the other of the chain before the chain reaches the sprocket.

Thus the divergence of the movable conveying element and the surface underlying the same tends to prevent the undesirable jamming of lumps of material between portions of the conveying mechanism adjacent its discharge end, and the device I0 aids in separating the material and causing Vit to pass laterally of the chain and sprocket. The substantially sharp nose of the .'device l0, and particularly the portion Il, which extends substantially perpendicular-ly to the chain, insure breaking up of lumps which may have gotten under the chain and which might become interposed between the chain and sprocket.

Each of the nights 9 is provided with holes I5 for the reception ofpins cooperating with a pintle of the chain to connect the night thereto. The central'portion of each night is hollowed at I6 to receive the chain, the lateral portions I`I extending downwardly at either side of the chain and lying in contact with the surface 6. Thus, forward movement of the chain causes corresponding movement of the flights which cooperate with the surface underlying them to advance material toward the discharge end of the conveyor.

In order to permit egress of material which may have gotten into the chain beneath one of the flights, each night also has a central opening '8 therethrough, which opening is directly above the chain. As the chain passes around the sprocket 4 any material which may have gotten into it beneath the night is given a means of egress through the opening Il, thus further preventing jamming of the mechanism or damage to the parts.

Each night 9 is likewise provided across its central portion with upstanding strengthening ribs I8 at opposite sides of the opening Il to give additional strength to the night at such portion. In the event of, a large lump of material becoming interposed between the night and a relatively stationary portion of the mechanism vthere would be a tendency to bend the night substantially at its central portion, and this tendency is overcome by the provision of the strengthening ribs I 9. Each night also has at its opposite extremities enlarged hub-like bearing portions 20 which are substantially smooth and rounded 1` and which upon return movement of the conveying element are adapted to serve as bearings to carry the weight of the chain and nights, riding upon angle members 2i at opposite sides of the conveyor. Such portions 20 provide an im- 2l proved bearing for the nights upon their return*Y movement and, slide smoothly into contact with the members 2I and also are adapted to withstand considerable wear before replacement of the nights is necessary. Thus the nights themselves are improved in that they provide means of egress for material which might have foundy its way into the chain beneath the nights, they are provided with strengthening ribs adjacent their central portions where they are subjected 3| to the greatest stress, and they have improved bearing members effective upon return movement of the conveying element.

'Ihe nights, instead of being connected to the chain through its pintles,` as above described, 3,1 may be connected to lugs extending outwardly from the sides of the links intermediate the pintles so that the opening I8 in each night will lie directly opposite an opening in one of the links of the chain. Such an arrangement pro- 4, vides even more effectively for accomplishment of the functions above described, and also readily permits of egress of small particles of coal which may enter the openings in the chain above the nights upon return travel of the conveying 4; element.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the same is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously 5| embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Conveying mechanism comprising a movable conveying element having a surface over 5i' which the conveying element is adapted to travel and on which material being conveyed is adapted to lie, and means for driving the conveying element, the said means comprising a sprocket and a drive shaft therefor positioned substantially 6( below the plane of travelof the conveying element as the conveying element travels towards the driving means, the said surface having a portlon adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism diverging from the conveying element and termi- 6l nating adiacent and above the drive shaft while the conveying element continues to travel in a substantially horizontal path above the diverging portion of the surface to form a sumcient clearance space between the conveying element and the 7( said diverging portion of the surface to prevent the material being conveyed from entering between the conveying element and driving means.

2. Conveying'mechanism comprising a movable conveying element having upper and lower 75 runs, a surface in contact with which/the conveying elementis adapted to travel throughout a portionI of the length of the conveying mechashaft being located substantially below the plane of the upper run of the conveyor as the conveyor between the chain and sprocket.

travels towards the sprocket, the said surface having a portion thereof adjacent one end of the conveying 'mechanism diverging from the conveying element and terminating adjacent to but above the said drive shaft, and forming between the conveying element and itself asuiilcient space to enable the material being conveyed to clear the conveying element and drive sprocket as the conveying element passes over vthe sprocket.

3. Conveying mechanism comprising a chain conveying element, a trough over which the conveying element is adapted to travel and on which material being conveyed is adapted to lie, -the trough and the conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism to Yprovide a space therebetween at such end, a

sprocket meshing with the chain adjacent such space, and a drive shaft for the sprocket, the sprocket and drive shaft being positioned substantially below the plane of the trough, the trough terminating adjacent the drive shaft, the said space affording sufficient clearance for preventing the material being conveyed from entering 4. Conveying mechanism, comprising a movable conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and the conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, defiecting means extending be-` tween the surface and the conveying element at such end and mounted over a portion of the surface, and means for moving the conveying element, the deecting, means deflecting material being conveyed along the surface away from the said means for moving the conveying element.

5. Conveying mechanism, comprising a movable conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a con-` veying movement, the surface and conveying element diyerging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, an inclined material dividing member extending from the surface toa position adjacent a-portion of the conveying element at such end of the conveying mechanism, and means for moving the conveying element.

6. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and conveying elementdiverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, an inclined material dividing member extending from the surface in lcontact with the chain e at such end of the conveying mechanism, and

means for moving the c onveying element.

7. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the con-p veying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement. the surface and conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, an inclined material dividing member extending from the surface inv contact with the chain at such end of the conveying mechanism, a sprocket meshing with the chain adjacent such member, and means for moving the conveying element.

8. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, a material dividing member inclined upwardly to an apex adjacent the chain at such end of the conveying mechanism, a sprocket meshing with the chain adjacent such member, and l means for moving the conveying element.

9. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, a material dividing member having a substantially sharp nose in the path of advancing material at such end of the conveying mechanism, and means for moving the conveying element. v

.10. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mech- Y anism, a material vdividing member havlng a nose in the path of advancing material and tapering to an apex adjacent the chain at such end of the conveying mechanism, and means for moving the conveying element.

11. Conveying mechanism, comprising a chain conveying element, a surface over which the conveying element is adapted to travel in a conveying movement, the surface and conveying element diverging adjacent an end of the conveying mechanism, a material dividing member-having a nose provided with a material cutting edge substantially perpendicular to the chain and tapering to an apex in contact with the under surface of the chain at such end of the conveying mechanism. and'means for moving the conveying element.

12. Conveying mechanism comprising a conveying element including a chain havingfiights connected therewith, a surface'over which the conveying element is adapted to travel and on which material being conveyed is adapted to lie,

the surface and the conveying element diverging adjacent 'an end oi the conveying mechanism, and asprocket below the plane of travel of the conveying element and the surface and meshing 13. In a conveyor, the combination with a trough having side walls, a material discharge end, and a -bottom forming a material supporting surface. of a shaft mounted on the discharge end of said trough and extending between the side walls thereof, a sprocket'carried on said shaft intermediate said side walls, a' draft chain carried on said sprocket and extending longitudinally of `and within said trough, material conveying flights extending laterally of said chain and attached thereto, said shaft being adapted to drive said chain and flights whereby they will move in said trough and 'convey material longitudinally thereof to said material dismaterial supporting surfaces on each side of said ,I

sprocket, the plane of said forward surface passing above the axis of rotation of said shaft.

14. In a conveyor, the combination with a trough having side walls, a material discharge end, and a bottom forming a material supporting surface, of a shaft mounted on the discharge end of said trough and extending between the side walls thereof, a sprocket carried onsaid shaft intermediate said side walls, draft and conveying means carried on said sprocket adapted to move material longitudinally of said trough, said shaft being adapted to drive said draft and conveying means to convey material to said discharge end, the bottom of said trough having a forward surface adjacent the discharge end and an intermediate surface rearwardly thereof, said surfaces being angularly disposed, said draft and conveying means being adapted to follow the general plane of said intermediate surface as it passes over the forward surface, said forward surface diverging from the plane of said intermediate surface and from the path of travel of said draft and conveying means whereby the distance therebetween is progressively increased toward said shaft, said forward surface extending approximately to said shaft and being intersected by said sprocket thereby providing material supporting surfaces on' each side of said sprocket, the plane of said forward surface passing above the axis of rotation of said shaft.

15. In a conveyor, the combination with Aa trough having side walls, a material discharge end, and a bottom forming a material supporting surface, of a shaft mounted on the discharge end of said trough and extending between the side walls thereof, a sprocket carried on said shaft intermediate said s ide walls, draft and conveying means carried on said sprocket adapted to move material longitudinally of said trough, said shaft being adapted to drive said draft and conveying means to convey material to said discharge end, the bottom of said trough having a forward surface adjacent the discharge end and an intermediate surface rearwardly thereof, said surfaces being angularly disposed; said draft and conveying means being adapted to follow the general plane of said intermediate surface as it passes over the forward surface, said forward surface diverging, from the plane of said intermediate surface and from the path of travel of said draft and conveying means whereby the disshaft intermediate said side walls, draft and conveying means carried on said sprocket adapted to move material longitudinally of said trough. said shaft being adapted to drive said draft and conveying means to convey material to said discharge end, the bottom of said trough having a forward surface adjacent the discharge end and an intermediate surface rearwardly thereof, said surfaces being angularly disposed, said draft and conveying means being adapted to follow the general plane of said intermediate surface as it passes over the forward surface, said forward surface diverging from the plane of said intermediate surface and from the path of travel of said draft and conveying means whereby the distance therebetween is progressively increased toward said shaft, said forward surface extending to said shaft and thereby providing material supporting surfaces on each side of said sprocket, the plane of said forward surface passing above the axis of rotation of said shaft.

17. In a conveyor, the combination with a trough having a, material discharge end, said trough having a discharge section adjacent the forward end that diverges from the longitudinal axis of the adjoining section of the trough, said discharge section terminating with the discharge end, of material conveying means including chain and flight means adapted to move material longitudinally along said trough, said material conveying means diverging from said discharge section to provide a clearance between said conveying means and said discharge section but maintaining sumciently close relation therewith to move the material directly under the iniluence thereof until it is discharged over the discharge end of said trough.

18. In a conveyor, the combination with a trough having a material discharge end, said trough having a discharge section adjacent the forward end that diverges from the longitudinal axis of the adjoining section of the trough, said discharge section terminating with the discharge end, of material conveying means adapted to move material longitudinally along said trough, said material conveying means diverging from said discharge section to provide a clearance between said conveying means and said discharge section but maintaining sufliciently close relation therewith to move the material directly under the influence thereof until it is discharged A over the discharge end of said trough.

EDWIN' B. GELLA'I'LY. 

